High alcohol content gel-like and foaming compositions comprising an anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a “high lower alcohol content” (&gt;40% v/v of a C 1-4  alcohol) liquid composition able to be either dispensed as a stable foam with the use of non-propellant foam dispensing devices from non-pressurized containers or as an alcohol gel composition which does not use thickener and gelling agents that leave undesirable deposits or a sticky after-feel and that has a final viscosity less than 4,000 cps. The liquid compositions comprise an alcohol, C 1-4  (&gt;40% v/v), a fluorosurfactant of at least 0.001% by weight to prepare a foamable composition or from 0-2.0% to prepare a gel-like composition of a final viscosity less than 4,000 cps, 0-10% w/w of additional minor components added to obtain the desired performance (a foamable composition or a gel-like composition with a viscosity less than 4,000 cps), and the balance being purified water. The compositions may include emulsifier-emollients and moisturizers, secondary surfactants, foam stabilizers, fragrances, antimicrobial agents, other type of medicinal ingredients, and the like ingredients or additives or combinations thereof commonly added to alcohol gels or foams, aerosol compositions or to toiletries, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the like.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/952,474, filed Sep. 29, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,090,and claims the priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No.60/506,172, filed on Sep. 29, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/591,601, filed on Jul. 28, 2004, incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions with high contents oflower alcohol (C₁₋₄) that could be a gel-like composition or a solutionable to be dispensed as a foam. The compositions to be dispensed asfoams contain a fluorosurfactant and when mixed with air provide astable alcohol foam which can be used for personal cleaning or fordisinfecting purposes. The gel-like compositions may or may not containa fluorosurfactant.

BACKGROUND ART

Ethanol and/or Isopropyl alcohol compositions with at least 60% percentv/v (approximately 52% by weight) are well known to be antibacterial,therefore widely accepted for disinfecting purposes. Nonetheless due tothe inherent characteristics of alcohol, it is perceived that the higherthe content the better the product and a higher than 60% by volumealcohol content solution is more desirable.

Alcohol disinfectant solutions are generally thickened in order toeliminate the waste and facilitate spreading the composition throughoutthe desired area. It is also known that other than gelling agents onecan use paraffin or waxes to achieve thickening of a solution with highalcohol concentration. Such a composition added with lanolin to reducethe melting point closer to body temperature is described in U.S. Pat.No. 2,054,989. One of the disadvantages of gels and such type thickalcohol containing compositions is that if they do not leave a tackyfeeling on the hands after one use (although some do), the effect buildsup after repetitive use during the day, making it necessary toeventually wash off the thickeners before continuing the usage of analcohol antiseptic solution. The present invention if formulated forsuch type of product does not leave such a feel, and does not need to bewashed off after having been used repeatedly.

Another way of thickening high alcohol content solutions has also beentaught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,090,395 and 6,623,744 where they useemulsifiers and surfactants as the thickening system to produce ahydroalcoholic lotion with a viscosity of at least 4,000 cps. Also, U.S.Pat. No. 4,956,170 discloses polyethoxylated non-ionicsurfactants/emulsifiers to stabilize the added emollient oils inaddition to a fatty alcohol although with the addition of a polymericthickening agent to prepare a hydroalcoholic skinmoisturizing/conditioning antimicrobial gel. The disinfectingcompositions of the present invention that are gel-like have a viscositylower than 4,000 cps and no polymeric thickening agent is added.

Generally speaking a high alcohol content disinfectant solutiondisinfects but does not clean. In order to make them disinfect andclean, so much soap would be needed that the skin would feel soapy anddisagreeable, unacceptable for rubbing alcohol purposes. Nonetheless, anon-irritant skin disinfecting high lower alcohol content formulationfor use as a skin-washing agent is successfully attained by combiningemulsifiers, surfactants and skin emollients to be used as a gel orointment as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,006.

Surfactants other than for cleaning purposes are also used for spreadingan aqueous composition containing one or more active substances rapidlyand evenly over a surface due to their wetting properties. The use ofgood wetting agents definitely improves the efficient use of activesubstances in different compositions as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,928,993. Hence, the composition described in the present inventionincludes the addition of surfactants, specifically fluorosurfactantswhich are well known for their unparalleled wetting power and which arealso surface-active in the lower alcohols used as disinfectant andsolvent system in levels which make it acceptable even for rubbingalcohol purposes, providing cleaning, wetting and foaming properties tothe composition.

Although a high alcohol content disinfectant solution has gooddisinfectant characteristics, it has a sharp smell and is generallyperceived to cause drying of the skin, characteristics which can also bediminished to a desirable level in the present invention.

A greater than 40% v/v alcohol foam product, easy and safe to use, isdesirable over conventional gel or ointment type composition products.The concentration of alcohol already poses a hazard in itself, and thereare many applications in which the perceived risk may be diminished ifit could be dispensed as a foam without the use of pressurized aerosolcontainers. A foam intended to be useful as a skin disinfecting agentmust have a uniform consistency, spreadability, cleansing ability, andhave a pleasant feel, i.e. have rapid breaking power when pressure isapplied; all of which present a challenge for a high lower alcoholcontent composition.

The description of an aqueous foaming skin disinfecting compositionusing 15% w/w alcohol as a co-solvent, which requires no pressurizedcontainer or added propellant to produce the foam, is described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,962,150.

The foam-forming agents utilized heretofore, have been incapable offorming stable foams when the liquid phase has high alcohol contentwithout using other ingredients. Furthermore, lower alcohols have beenconsidered to be defoamers rather than foam-promoting chemicals.According to Klausner, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,153, if more than 64%alcohol is used non-homogeneous compositions are obtained. Thecompositions in the patent required propellant to foam and the foamsproduced were of limited stability.

Prior to this invention, when a greater than 40% v/v alcoholconcentration is required in a product, it is generally accepted thatthe product will be either liquid or gel, and that if a foam is desiredthen the concentration of alcohol would need to be reduced or the use ofa propellant and a pressurized system would be required.

Surprisingly, in the few “foamable” high alcohol content productsdisclosed, the types of foam obtained were not similar to those expectedfrom aqueous solutions. The foams obtained are described as fast oraerated foam, quick breaking, with low or limited stability, which wouldnot last for more than one minute, being generally gone within seconds.

It has been disclosed that fluorosurfactants and alcohol can be combinedto produce a “stable” foam by a process using high-pressurized means togenerate the foam. Highly stable pressurized foams containing high loweralcohol contents and methods of forming and using such pressurized foamsin the oil industry using a non-ionic surfactant or mixture of non-ionicsurfactants of a specific group of fluorosurfactants are provided inU.S. Pat. No. 4,440,653. The compositions in this patent require the useof a pressurized gas system to generate the foam.

Various examples of compositions with a high lower alcohol content thatare dispensed as a foam have been described, although for the purpose ofthe present invention the characteristics of the foam are not of thedesired outcome, since they are fast breaking, of low stability and thefoam is produced by means of propellants and aerosol containers only, asthe one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,808, which discloses a productthat uses an emulsifying wax NF, and a combination of stearyl and cetylalcohol, or other wax combinations, which improve the foamingperformance of the composition, in combination with cetyl lactate, toproduce a 0.8% chlorhexidine gluconate alcohol product.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,950 issued to Lins discloses a foam product whichrequires a propellant and no surfactant is added as a cleaning agent.The composition disclosed in this patent is based upon using anemulsifier system (fatty alcohol ROH 16-22 carbons) in combination withthe use of a thickening agent (carbomer, klucel, etc.).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,950 to Lins discloses an antimicrobial aerosolmousse having a high alcohol content. The mousse comprises alcohol,water, a polymeric gelling agent and a surfactant system comprising aC16-C22 alcohol, aerosol propellant and a non-ionic polyethoxylatedsurfactant. Despite the work done to date it has been shown that thereis little specific knowledge on how foams react and are formed, andsurprisingly formulations that might seem not foamable result in thebest foam producing ones while other formulations which seemed to havebeen producing foam even while being prepared did not perform well atall in some non-aerosol foam dispensers. The behaviour of aqueous foamsis not the same of that of an alcohol foam.

The traditional ways of forming a gel using polymeric thickenerspresents undesirable characteristics and similarly little has been donein forming emulsion-like thickened gels.

It would be very advantageous to have alcohol based disinfectingformulations which may be dispensed as either a gel or a foam. Further,it would be very advantageous and desirable to find a foaming agent thatcould be used in concentrations that would allow it to be used inproducts that can remain in the area on which they have been applied anddo not need to be rinsed or wiped off due to small amounts of residueremaining after evaporation. Thus it would also be very advantageous toprovide foams or gels that do not leave an unpleasant sticky after-feelas most commercial alcohol gel products are known to, or which clog upthe dispensing equipment used to dispense the foams and gels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide high alcohol content liquidcompositions, which contain a surfactant/cleaning agent as well as adisinfectant/cleaning/solvent/carrier and that causes very little dryingto the skin or the hands of the user and is able to be dispensed eitheras a gel or as a foam from both pressurized and non-pressurized systems.

The present invention provides high alcohol content compositions thatare either gels or able to be dispensed as a foam, which are readilyspread over the desired surface. Amongst the different applicationswhere such compositions might be of use, it is another object to alsoprovide an antimicrobial alcohol foam and an antimicrobial alcohol gel.The foamable compositions when dispensed from a suitable dispenser arestable and do not require the use of propellants and pressurizedcontainers. The gels disclosed herein with a viscosity of less than4,000 cps do not use the gelling or thickening agents typically used incommercial gels and therefore after single or multiple applications ofthe gel there is not the usual tacky or sticky after-feel and the geldoes not clog the dispensers from which the gels are dispensed.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description of the invention. All percentages provided hereinare based on the total weight unless otherwise indicated.

Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions for personalhygiene, as follows.

Foamable Compositions

The present invention provides a foamable alcohol composition,comprising:

a) an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount greaterthan about 40% percent v/v of the total composition;

b) an effective fluorinated surface active agent for foaming, which isphysiologically acceptable for skin disinfecting, present in an amountof at least 0.001% weight percent of the total composition such that thecomposition foams under low pressure conditions; and

c) water present in an amount to balance the total composition to 100%by weight.

In this aspect of the invention the effective fluorinated surface activeagent is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 10.0% weightpercent of the total composition which is physiologically acceptable soit can be used in personal care type products.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the fluorosurfactant may bean amphoteric polytetrafluoroethylene acetoxypropyl betaine of thefollowing formula, (CF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)nCH₂CH₂(OAc)CH₂N+(CH₃)₂CH₂COO—) wheren=2 to 4, an ethoxylated nonionic fluorosurfactant of the followingstructure: RfCH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)xH where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)y, x=0 to about 15 andy=1 to about 7; or an anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant of thefollowing structure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)xP(O)(ONH₄)y where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)z, x=1 or2, y=2 or 1 and z=1 to about 7, or mixtures thereof.

The present invention also provides a foamable, alcohol disinfectingcomposition, comprising:

a) an alcohol C₁₋₄ or mixtures thereof, present in an amount betweenabout 60% to above 80% v/v of the total composition;

b) a physiologically acceptable fluorosurfactant present in an amountfrom about 0.01% to about 2.0% by weight of the total composition suchthat the foamable alcohol disinfecting composition foams under lowpressure conditions when dispensed from an unpressurized container;

c) a foam stabilizing agent present in an amount from about 0.01 toabout 12.0% by weight;

d) any one of moisturizers, emollients and combinations thereof presentin an amount from about 0.05 to about 5.0% by weight; and

e) water in an amount to balance the total compositions to 100% byweight.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided an alcoholdisinfecting composition, comprising;

a) ethanol present in an amount between about 60% to 70% percent v/v ofthe total composition;

b) a physiologically acceptable fluorosurfactant in an amount from about0.01% to about 2.0% weight percent of the total composition;

c) at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consistingof polyethoxylated fatty alcohols present in an amount from about 0.01to about 10.0% weight percent;

d) a foam stabilizing agent;

e) water in an amount to balance the total composition to 100% weightpercent.

The present invention also provides an alcohol disinfecting compositioncomprising:

a) ethanol present in an amount between about 60% to 70% percent v/v ofthe total composition;

b) a physiologically acceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant in anamount from about 0.01% to about 2.0% weight percent of the totalcomposition;

c) at least 1% n-propanol;

d) foam stabilizing agents that at least include 1,3-Butyleneglycol % 2,Butoxyethanol in 0.001-3% ea;

e) a lipid layer enhancer such as a mixture of alkylglucoside andglyceryl oleate; and

f) water in an amount to balance the total composition to 100% weightpercent.

Gel-Like Compositions

In this aspect of the invention there is provided an alcohol gel-likecomposition, comprising;

a) an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount greaterthan about 40% percent v/v of the total composition;

b) at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consistingof a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, a poly(ethoxylatedand/or propoxylated)ester, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)alcohol, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)ester, an alkyl alcohol, an alkenyl alcohol, an ester of apolyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyhydric alcohol, an ester of apolyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of apolyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, a sorbitan fattyacid ester, a polyalkoxylated derivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester,and mixtures thereof, present in an amount between about 0.10% to about5% weight percent;

c) an emulsifier present in an amount between about 0.10% to about 3.0%weight percent; and

d) water in an amount sufficient to form a stable gel-like disinfectingcomposition

The compositions disclosed herein provide a wide variety and range ofhigh alcohol content disinfecting products. According to the percentageof alcohol used in the compositions and by varying the proportions ofthe other constituents in the formulation, foams with differingproperties can be achieved thereby allowing the production of foams thatare either coarse or wet which quickly flatten, or foams that are softwhich contain fine bubbles and which are relatively dry having long foamstability, or creamy thick foams that are gel-like. Also, thecompositions may or may not be disinfecting according to the percentageof alcohol.

It was surprisingly found that by varying the percentages of theingredients an alcohol gel-like composition was obtained which did notdry the hands or leave a sticky after-feel and that did not clog the geldispensers, having the desired consistency and showing a viscosity ofless than 4,000 cps.

Some of the compositions can conveniently be manufactured in a two stepprocess such that most of the alcohol can be added at a later timeand/or location making it the first part a desirable concentratesuitable for shipping less hazardous goods and weight. Warming the firstpart from 30 to 80 degrees Celsius, (depending on the particularcomposition) before adding the major portion of alcohol improves thelong term stability of the compositions. This warming can either takeplace the same day in the same location where the finished compositionis prepared or the concentrate first part can be stored or shippedelsewhere and the warming can take place either when the first part ismixing or right before adding the major portion of alcohol.

It should be evident that the described embodiment can be subjected toadjustment and/or improvement for specific applications either as a gelor a foam or to contain a desired active ingredient, without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. Different materials and/oringredients will be then needed to compensate for the composition and/orfoam stability disruption that might be generated by the change (i.e.introducing a more compatible secondary or even primary surfactant,adjusting the compatible foam stabilizer percentage and/or varying therelative amount of emulsifier and/or alcohol or water) or to compensatefor shifts in desired viscosity and foam characteristics to obtained thedesired gel (i.e. reduce the amount of fluorosurfactant or increase thepolyethoxylated surfactants, or add an emulsifier and/or increase ordecrease alcohol and/or water). These and other changes may be made inthe details within the spirit of the invention, which is to be broadlyconstrued and not to be limited except by the character of the claimsappended hereto.

For example, the alcohol based compositions may contain up to 10% byweight of other active ingredients or additives or combinations thereofcommonly added to aerosol compositions or to toiletries, cosmetics,pharmaceuticals, etc. Materials that may be added may include organicgums and colloids, lower alkanolamides of higher fatty acids, shortchain diols and/or triols, alkylglucosides, fragrance, coloring matter,additional emollients, ultraviolet absorbers, solvents, emulsifiers,foam stabilizers or mixture of such stabilizers, suspending agents,buffers, conditioning agents, antioxidants, bactericides, medicinalactive ingredient, and the like.

The present invention provides a composition, comprising;

a) an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount greaterthan about 40% v/v of the total composition;

b) at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consistingof a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, a poly(ethoxylatedand/or propoxylated)ester, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)alcohol, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)ester, an alkyl alcohol, an alkenyl alcohol, an ester of apolyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyhydric alcohol, an ester of apolyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of apolyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, a sorbitan fattyacid ester, a polyalkoxylated derivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester,and mixtures thereof, present in an amount between about 0.10% to about5% weight percent

c) an emulsifier present in an amount between about 0.10% to about 3.0%weight percent; and

d) water in an amount sufficient to form a stable gel-like compositionwith a viscosity less than 4,000 cps.

The present invention also provides a method of forming askin-disinfecting foam containing alcohol, comprising the steps of:

combining an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amountgreater than about 60% v/v of the total composition with aphysiologically acceptable effective fluorinated surface active agentfor foaming present in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight percent ofthe total composition, and water present in an amount to balance thetotal composition to 100% by weight to form an alcohol-fluorosurfactantmixture and storing said composition in an unpresssurized dispenserhaving a dispenser pump; and

activating the dispenser pump to combine the alcohol-fluorosurfactantmixture with air to form and dispense a skin disinfecting foamcontaining alcohol.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a high-alcohol,foamable, skin-disinfecting composition, comprising:

a) an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount greaterthan about 60% v/v of the total composition;

b) water present in an amount to balance the total composition to 100%by weight; and

c) a physiologically acceptable fluorinated surface active agent forfoaming present in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight of the totalcomposition such that the composition has a surface tension less than 20dynes/cm.

The present invention also provides a high-alcohol, foamable,skin-disinfecting composition, comprising:

a) an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount greaterthan about 60% v/v of the total composition;

b) water present in an amount to balance the total composition to 100%by weight; and

c) a physiologically acceptable fluorinated surface active agent forfoaming present in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight of the totalcomposition such that the composition foams without the use ofpropellants or pressurized containers.

The present invention also provides a method for personal disinfectingcomprising:

applying to a person's skin a skin-disinfecting alcohol foam compositionwhich comprises

a) air mixed under low pressure conditions with

b) a liquid comprising

-   -   i) an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount        greater than about 60% v/v of the total composition;    -   ii) water present in an amount to balance the total composition        to 100% by weight; and    -   iii) a physiologically acceptable effective fluorinated surface        active agent for foaming present in an amount of at least 0.001%        by weight of the total composition.

The present invention also provides a method for producing, and applyingto a person's skin, a skin-disinfecting alcohol foam composition,comprising

a) combining an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amountgreater than about 60% v/v of the total composition with an effectivephysiologically acceptable fluorinated surface active agent for foamingpresent in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight of the totalcomposition, and water present in an amount to balance the totalcomposition to 100% by weight to form an alcohol-fluorosurfactantmixture and storing said composition in an unpressurized dispenserhaving a dispenser pump;

b) activating the dispenser pump to combine the alcohol-fluorosurfactantmixture with air to form and dispense a skin-disinfecting alcohol foam;and

c) applying the skin-disinfecting alcohol foam to the person's skin.

The invention will be described in connection with various specificexamples, which are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting.Nevertheless, the present invention lends itself to the preparation of awide variety of products, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The term “emollient” as used herein refers broadly to materials whichare capable of maintaining or improving the moisture level, compliance,or appearance of the skin when used repeatedly.

The term “emulsifier” as used herein refers to surfactants or othermaterials added in small quantities to a mixture of two miscible liquidsfor the purpose of aiding in the formation and stabilization of anemulsion.

The phrase “emulsifying ingredients” as used herein is synonymous withemulsifier defined above.

The term “emulsion” as used herein refers to a colloidal dispersion ofone liquid in another.

The term “surfactant” as used herein is the widely employed contractionfor “surface active agents” which is the descriptive generic term formaterials that preferentially adsorb at interfaces as a result of thepresence of both lyophilic and lyophobic structural units, theadsorption generally resulting in the alteration of the surface orinterfacial properties of the system.

The term “fluorosurfactant” as used herein refers to a fluorinatedsurface active agent which enables the composition in which it iscontained to clean, wet and foam.

The phrase “foam stabilizer” as used herein refers to an additive thatincreases the amount or persistence of foam produced by a surfactantsystem.

The phrase “gel-like composition” as used herein refers to ahydroalcoholic solution with at least 40% v/v alcohol content, which isthickened by the use of emulsifiers and surfactant to have a viscositygreater than water and less than 4,000 cps.

The term “disinfect” as used herein means to destroy or reduce harmfulmicroorganisms.

The present invention provides compositions with high contents of loweralcohol (C₁₋₄) able to be dispensed as a gel or a foam. The foamablecompositions when mixed with air deliver a stable foam to provide analcoholic liquid solution which can be used for personal cleaning or fordisinfecting purposes and which breaks on pressure application such aswhen a user rubs their hands or when applied over a surface. The gelcomposition delivers a liquid of the appropriate consistency to bereadily spread on the hands, yet without dripping off. This gelcomposition with at least 60% v/v alcohol provides an effectivedisinfectant that does not leave a tacky after-feel once the alcohol hasevaporated and that is common to such alcohol gels which use thickenersand gelling agents that have been used commonly in the past duringsingle or multiple applications. The gel composition does not easilyclog the dispensers as common gel products do.

The alcohol used in the present invention is a lower hydrocarbon chainalcohol such as a C₁₋₄ alcohol. The preferred alcohol is chosen fromethanol, 2-propanol, or n-propanol, most preferably ethanol, wellaccepted by Health Care personnel as an adequate disinfectant at theright percentages. The invention anticipates that a single alcohol maybe used or that a blend of two or more alcohols may comprise the alcoholcontent of the composition either for a gel-like or foamable product.

Foamable Compositions

One of the main achievements of the present invention is makingcompositions with a greater than 40% v/v alcohol content able to bedispensed as a cosmetically appealing foam. The other importantachievement is to obtain an alcohol gel without using the typicalgelling agents know to those skilled in the art which would not clogdispensers or leave a tacky after-feel.

The use of a fluorosurfactant is the key ingredient as the primaryfoaming agent in the compositions designed to foam disclosed herein.Fluorosurfactants have various interesting properties such as leavinglittle residue, being able to function in harsh chemical and thermalenvironments; they have an unparalleled wetting power, etc. Unliketraditional surfactants, they show unusual surface-active properties inorganic solvents that are known to those skilled in the art, and thathave made them widely used for applications in coatings, oilfield,material finishes, cleaning, paints, etc.

The fluorosurfactants suitable for these types of compositions mayinclude, but are not limited to, ethoxylates, glycerol esters, amineoxides, acetylenic alcohol derivatives, carboxylates, phosphates,carbohydrate derivatives, sulfonates, betaines, esters, polyamides,silicones, and hydrocarbon surfactants that have been fluorinated andare compatible with the other components being used for a particularformulation.

A preferred fluorosurfactant is polytetrafluoroethylene acetoxypropylbetaine CF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)nCH₂CH₂(OAc)CH₂N+(CH₃)₂CH₂COO—, where n=2-4.However, it is contemplated that other fluorosurfactants may be usedincluding as non-limiting examples for use in the present invention anethoxylated nonionic fluorosurfactant of the following structure:RfCH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)y, x=0 to about 15 and y=1 toabout 7; an anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant of the followingstructure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y) where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)z, x=1 or 2,y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7 or mixtures thereof.

It was surprisingly found that despite the characteristics offluorosurfactants, there was little or no information on their use toproduce a foamable product with high alcohol content other than the oneusing non-ionic fluorosurfactants and pressurized gas as a foamer astaught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,653 incorporated herein by reference.

Furthermore, in order to obtain a high alcohol content product able toproduce a foam even if no pressurized containers or propellants are usedwould require surface tension values as low as possible so that thepressure required to produce such foam by hand pumps and mechanicalmeans would be sufficient. Hence, the lower than 20 dynes/cm (0.01% DW25° C.) surface tension values achievable with these surfactants madethem suitable for the application.

During the development of the present invention, it was unexpectedlyfound that a quick breaking aerated foam could even be obtained whenusing just ethanol and the fluorosurfactant, while using traditionalsurfactants at even double the percentage bore results that could not beeven slightly similar and no foam at all could be obtained.

In order to achieve a commercially suitable formulation, reducing theamount of fluorosurfactant used while using the assistance of otheringredients such as secondary surfactants, emulsifiers, foamstabilizers, fragrances, and the like ingredients employed in cosmetics,aerosols, toiletries, personal care, etc. is one of the approachesfollowed. One of the commercial products obtained uses emulsifiers andpolyethoxylated fatty acid surfactants disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,167,950 and 6,090,395, both incorporated herein by reference, whileother examples use a combination of different foam stabilizers toachieve a similar result.

Examples of secondary surfactants that may be used in the presentcompositions include alkylglucosides, a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)alcohol, a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, aderivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, aderivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, an alkylalcohol, an alkenyl alcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an etherof a polyhydric alcohol, an ester of a polyalkoxylated derivative of apolyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyalkoxylated derivative of apolyhydric alcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyalkoxylatedderivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a betaine, a sulfobetaines,imidazoline derivatives, aminoacid derivatives, lecithins, phosphatides,some amine oxides and sulfoxides and mixtures thereof, present in anamount between about 0.10% to about 5% weight percent.

A preferred betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine. A preferredalkylglucoside is cocoglucoside. Preferred polyethoxylated fattyalcohols are polyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (21 moles ethylene oxide)and polyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (2 moles ethylene oxide), and acombination of these two.

The compositions may include an antimicrobial agent. The followingantimicrobials are offered as non-limiting examples of suitableantimicrobials for use in the present invention and may includechlorhexidine salt, iodine, a complexed form of iodine,parachlorometaxylenol, triclosan, hexachlorophene, a phenol, asurfactant having a long chain hydrophobic group and a quaternary group,hydrogen peroxide, silver, a silver salt, silver oxide, and mixturesthereof.

A preferred antimicrobial agent in the present compositions ischlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) present in an amount between about 0.50%to about 4.0% weight percent. Another preferred antimicrobial agent isdidecyl dimethyl diamonium chloride in an amount between about 0.05% to5% weight percent.

If the amount of ingredients employed is little enough not to leave atacky feeling after the composition evaporates after single or multipleuses, and this is achieved while maintaining at least 60% v/v ethanol orn-propanol concentration or 70% v/v isopropanol, then the compositionwould be ideal for use as an alcohol hand sanitizer/disinfectantfoamable composition.

The addition of water to the alcohol produces a more stable foam whileallowing to reduce the amount of fluorosurfactant required to foam theproduct. For instance, using 0.5 to 1.0% fluorosurfactant with a 50 to60% v/v alcohol water solution produces a stable foam that does notreadily collapse and that produces a stable puff that does not fall evenwhen inverted and does not collapse until pressure is applied (such aswhen rubbed in hands or on over a surface) to provide an alcoholicliquid solution.

The use of a mild non-irritant surfactant widely used in the cosmeticindustry such as cocamidopropyl betaine as a secondary surfactant ismore suitable to prepare the foamable hydroalcoholic composition of thepresent invention depending on the fluorosurfactant being used.

In order to stabilize the foam, foam stabilizers, as well as emulsifyingingredients have been tried with good results in allowing the product tobe dispensed as a foam even when no propellant and/or pressurizedcontainer systems are used.

Examples of compatible foam stabilizers that can optionally be employedinclude lactic acid esters of monoglycerides, cationic emulsifiers,triquaternized stearic phospholipid complex, hydroxystearamidepropyltriamine salts, lactic acid monoglycerides, food emulsifiers suchas glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol monostearate, sodium stearoyllactylate, silicone wax, an encapsulated oil, Microcapsule Mineral Oil®.

A preferred foam stabilizer used in the present foamable compositions iscetyl betaine. A preferred combination of foam stabilizers is that ofbutyleneglycol, butoxyethanol and n-propanol.

Examples of moisturizers and/or emollients which may be used in thepresent formulations include lanolin, vinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyols selected from the group consisting of glycerol,propylene glycol, glyceryl oleate and sorbitol, cocoglucoside or a fattyalcohol selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearylalcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol and palmityl alcohol, cetylalcohol, ceteareth 20, and combinations thereof, present in an amount upto about 5%.

The compositions may include an acid or a base to adjust a pH of thecomposition to a pre-selected pH. The acid or base may present in anamount from about 0.05 to about 0.5% by weight of the total composition.Non-limiting examples of the acid used to adjust the pH includehydrochloric acid, citric acid and phosphoric acid, and a non-limitingexample of the base used to adjust the pH includes sodiumsesquicarbonate.

The compositions may also include a preservative in an amount from about0.01 to about 5% by weight of the total composition.

The compositions formulated to be dispensed as a foam may be stored inan unpressurized dispenser having a dispenser pump for mixing thecomposition with air and dispensing foam therefrom. The composition mayinclude an aerosol propellant in an amount from about 3 to about 20weight percent of the total composition for pressurized discharge of thefoam. The aerosol propellant may include propane, carbon dioxide,butane, dichloro difluoro methane, dichloro tetra fluoro ethane,octafluorocyclo butane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; 1,1,1,2,3,3,3heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,3,3,3,-hexafluoropropane. When stored in ametal container with propellant, the formulation may include a corrosioninhibitor such as sorbic acid, benzoic acid, potassium sorbate andsodium benzoate, in an amount from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percentof the total composition.

Gel-Like Compositions

Some of compositions studied had some gel-like properties. Thischaracteristic led to the second most important achievement of thepresent invention; that is an alcohol gel with viscosities less than4,000 cps that do not use the conventional polymeric thickeners (i.e.,cellulose derivatives, carbomers, etc) that are known to leave a stickyresidue on surfaces on single and multiple applications that builds up.This discourages users and tends to clog the dispensers.

In order to prepare a gel-like composition, a fluorosurfactant is notrequired to form the gel, however, using a small amount improves theafter-feel, it also allows one to reduce the usage of other surfactantsrequired, therefore improving the performance of the composition. Theuse of the fluorosurfactant also noticeably improves the spreadabilityof the gel disinfecting compositions on the hands or a surface.

The following is a basic formulation of the gel-like compositions. Analcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount greater thanabout 40% v/v of the total composition, one or more nonionic surfactantspresent in an amount between about 0.10% to about 5% weight percent, anemulsifier present in an amount between about 0.10% to about 3.0% weightpercent, and water in an amount sufficient to form a stable gel-likecomposition.

Non-limiting examples of non-ionic surfactants include poly(ethoxylatedand/or propoxylated)alcohol, a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)ester, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)alcohol, a derivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)ester, an alkyl alcohol, an alkenyl alcohol, an ester of apolyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyhydric alcohol, an ester of apolyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of apolyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, a sorbitan fattyacid ester, a polyalkoxylated derivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester,and mixtures thereof.

A preferred non-ionic surfactant includes polyethoxylated fatty alcoholssuch as polyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (21 moles ethylene oxide) andpolyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (2 moles ethylene oxide), and/or acombination of polyethoxylated fatty alcohols.

To make the gel-like compositions for personal hygiene applications, thecompositions may include a physiologically acceptable fluorinatedsurface active agent up to about 2.5%. A preferred fluorinated surfaceactive agent is that used in the gel-like compositions, namelypolytetrafluoroethylene acetoxypropyl betaineCF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)nCH₂CH₂(OAc)CH₂N+(CH₃)₂CH₂COO—, where n=2-4.

Another fluorinated surface active agent also preferred is anethoxylated nonionic fluorosurfactant of the following structure:RfCH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)y, x=0 to about 15 and y=1 toabout 7 and yet another one is an anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant ofthe following structure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y) whereRf═F(CF₂CF₂)z, x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7 or mixturesthereof.

The following non-limiting examples are set forth to show for thevarious preferred embodiments and are not in any way to limit the scopeof the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Examples 1 through 12 were prepared to illustrate the ability to producealcohol-based formulations which can be dispensed as foams usingdifferent surfactants and a solution of water and 50% ethanol. Examples13 through 18 show increasing concentrations of ethanol andfluorosurfactant to produce foam. Examples 19 through 30 illustrate theability to produce foam using different surfactants and a solution of70% v/v Isopropanol. All parts and percentages are expressed by weightunless otherwise indicated.

Amount Ingredients Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 S.D. Alcohol 3-A50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 Fluorosurfactant 0.50 — — — — —Cocamidopropyl betaine (1) — 8.00 — — — — Alkylglucoside (2) — — 8.00 —— — Alkylglucoside (3) — — — 8.00 — — Glycomul L — — — — 8.00 — SorbitanSesquioleate — — — — — 8.00 Deionized Water 49.50 42.00 42.00 42.0042.00 42.00 Total % 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 AmountIngredients Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 Ex. 11 Ex. 12 S.D. Alcohol 3-A50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 Polysorbate 20 8.00 — — — — —Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monooleate — 8.00 — — — — Sorbitan Monooleate —— 8.00 — — — Cocamidopropyl betaine & sodium caproyl lactate — — — 8.00— — Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine — — — — 8.00 — SodiumCocoamphoacetate — — — — — 8.00 Deionized Water 42.00 42.00 42.00 42.0042.00 42.00 Total % 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 AmountIngredients Ex. 13 Ex. 14 Ex. 15 Ex. 16 Ex. 17 Ex. 18 S.D. Alcohol 3-A50.00 60.00 65.00 70.00 80.00 92.50 Fluorosurfactant 0.10 0.75 0.80 1.502.00 7.5 Deionized Water 49.90 39.25 34.20 28.50 18.00 — Total % 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 Amount Ingredients Ex. 19 Ex. 20 Ex.21 Ex. 22 Ex. 23 Ex. 24 70% v/v Isopropanol 99.90 92.00 92.00 92.0092.00 92.00 Fluorosurfactant 0.10 — — — — — Cocamidopropyl betaine (1) —8.00 — — — — Alkylglucoside (2) — — 8.00 — — — Alkylglucoside (3) — — —8.00 — — Glycomul L — — — — 8.00 — Sorbitan Sesquioleate — — — — — 8.00Total % 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 Amount Ingredients Ex.25 Ex. 26 Ex. 27 Ex. 28 Ex. 29 Ex. 30 70% v/v Isopropanol 92.00 92.0092.00 92.00 92.00 92.00 Polysorbate 20 8.00 — — — — — PolyoxyethyleneSorbitan Monooleate — 8.00 — — — — Sorbitan Monooleate — — 8.00 — — —Cocamidopropylbetaine & sodium caproyl lactate — — — 8.00 — —Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine — — — — 8.00 — Sodium Cocoamphoacetate —— — — — 8.00 Total % 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 (1)Amphoteric, (2) Nonionic, (3) AnionicThe solutions prepared, were evaluated as to whether foam was producedor not and if so, then the foam produced was described as follows:

Foam Example Produced Foam Evaluation/Description/Characteristics Ex. 1Yes Very good stable stiff puff creamy and soft lasts minutes Ex. 2 NoJust Very Wet Bubbles produced lasting <10 seconds Ex. 3 No — Ex. 4 No —Ex. 5 No — Ex. 6 No Just Very Wet Bubbles produced lasting <7 secondsEx. 7 No Just Very Wet Bubbles produced lasting <10 seconds Ex. 8 No —Ex. 9 No Just Very Wet Bubbles produced lasting <10 seconds Ex. 10 No —Ex. 11 No — Ex. 12 No — Ex. 13 Yes Very good stable stiff puff creamyand soft lasts minutes Ex. 14 Yes Very good creamy and soft lasts morethan a minute Ex. 15 Yes Very good creamy and soft lasts more than aminute Ex. 16 Yes Very good creamy and soft lasts more than a minute Ex.17 Yes Quick fast breaking foam lasts more than a 15 secs Ex. 18 YesQuick fast breaking foam lasts more than a 10 secs Ex. 19 Yes Quick fastbreaking foam lasts more than a 20 secs Ex. 20 No — Ex. 21 No — Ex. 22No — Ex. 23 No — Ex. 24 No — Ex. 25 No — Ex. 26 No — Ex. 27 No — Ex. 28No — Ex. 29 No — Ex. 30 No —

Comparatively, it was also found that for instance, Cocamidopropylbetaine (CAPB) alone even at 40% ethanol and at 3% CAPB, was unable toproduce as good results as those with 60% v/v ethanol, andfluorosurfactants using much less percentage (less than 1.0%).Cocamidopropyl betaine does not give any acceptable foam above thatpercentage of alcohol and the lower than 60% v/v alcohol content makesit inadequate for a sanitizing solution. Also the solution left anunacceptable feeling on the skin after the alcohol evaporated (i.e. asoapy sticky feeling) indicating high levels of surfactant.

Very interestingly fluorosurfactants seemed to be a likely way toachieve a foaming composition that contains more than 40% v/v alcohol.The fact that foam could be achieved even when no added water oringredients are used other than 95% v/v alcohol and the fluorosurfactantas shown in example 18 makes the present invention suitable for manydifferent applications.

Below are some specific examples for compositions following the aboveformulation to produce alcohol hand sanitizing solutions; more than onebeing a foamable composition with alcohol being the only disinfectantingredient, while other foamable compositions use an added antimicrobialsuch as Chlorhexidine Digluconate or Didecyl Dimethyl DiammoniumChloride and the third group being alcohol gel-like hand sanitizingsolutions.

Example 31 Alcohol Hand Sanitizing Foamable Disinfecting Composition

-   0.01-1.0% * amphoteric, anionic or non-ionic fluorosurfactant    (primary surfactant)-   0.01-1.0% cocoamidopropylbetaine (secondary surfactant)-   0.05-1.0% cetyl betaine (foam stabilizing agent)-   0.10-1.5% emulsifier fatty alcohol ROH 16-22 carbons or combination    that works well in a final formulation containing-   60-70% v/v ethanol-   Q.S. water * Preferably Polytetrafluoroethylene Acetoxypropyl    Betaine CF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)_(n)CH₂CH₂(OAc)CH₂N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂COO⁻, where n=2-4    or an ethoxylated nonionic fluorosurfactant of the following    structure: RfCH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)y, x=0 to about    15 and y=1 to about 7; or an anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant of    the following structure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y) where    Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)z, x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7, or    mixtures thereof.

Example 32 Alcohol Hand Sanitizing Foamable Disinfecting CompositionConcentrate

-   0.01-1.0% * amphoteric, anionic or non-ionic fluorosurfactant    (primary surfactant)-   0.01-12.0% 1,3 Butyleneglycol, 2-Butoxyethanol, n-propanol (foam    stabilizing agents)-   0.05-5.0% cocoglucoside, glycerin, glyceryl oleate (moisturizers,    emollients and the like)-   60-70% v/v ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol or a combination thereof-   Q.S. water * Preferably an anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant of the    following structure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y) where    Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)z, x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7 or an    ethoxylated nonionic fluorosurfactant of the following structure:    RfCH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)y, x=0 to about 15 and y=1    to about 7; or Polytetrafluoroethylene Acetoxypropyl Betaine    CF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)_(n)CH₂CH₂(OAc)CH₂N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂COO⁻, where n=2-4, or    mixtures thereof

Example 33 Alcohol Hand Sanitizing Foamable Disinfecting Composition

a) ethanol present in an amount between about 60% to 70% percent v/v ofthe total composition;

b) a physiologically acceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant in anamount from about 0.01% to about 2.0% weight percent of the totalcomposition;

c) at least 1% n-propanol

d) foam stabilizing agents that at least include 1,3-Butyleneglycol % 2,Butoxyethanol in 0.001-3% ea.

e) a lipid layer enhancer such as a mixture of alkylglucoside andglyceryl oleate

f) water in an amount to balance the total composition to 100% weightpercent.

Example 34 Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) & Alcohol Hand SanitizingFoamable Disinfecting Composition

Formulations 31 or 32 added with

0.50-4.0% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)

Example 35

Formulations 31 or 32 added with

0.01-5.0% Didecyl Dimethyl Diammonium Chloride

Example 36 Alcohol Hand Sanitizing Gel-Like Disinfecting Compositionwith a Viscosity Less than 4,000 cps

-   0.0-1.0% * amphoteric, anionic or non-ionic fluorosurfactant    (primary surfactant)-   0.10-2.0% an emulsifier moisturizer and/or emollient preferably a    non-ionic surfactant and/or a combination of cetearyl alcohol and    ceteareth 20 or a combination thereof to give a composition with a    viscosity of less than 4,000 cps;-   0.50-4.0% a combination of nonionic surfactants specifically from    the group of the polyethoxylated fatty alcohols-   60-70% v/v ethanol-   Q.S. water * Preferably Polytetrafluoroethylene Acetoxypropyl    Betaine CF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)_(n)CH₂CH₂(OAc)CH₂N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂COO⁻, where n=2-4    or an ethoxylated nonionic fluorosurfactant of the following    structure: RfCH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)y, x=0 to about    15 and y=1 to about 7; or an anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant of    the following structure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y) where    Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)z, x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7, or    mixtures thereof.

The process to prepare the compositions of the present inventiondescribed herein is straightforward since most of the ingredients areliquid. When wax type ingredients are to be used, they can beincorporated by warming up to 40-45° C. preferably to the alcoholportion while mixing and then allowing it to cool down or they could beadded in “cold”, at room temperature to the alcohol before any otheringredient and mixed until completely incorporated before adding therest of the ingredients according to the composition. Whether allingredients are liquid or not, warming from 30 to 80 degrees Celsius,(depending on the particular composition) increases the long termstability of the compositions. Active ingredients could be pre-dissolvedinto the water first. A process that anyone knowledgeable enough of theart would have no problem implementing. If a specific formulation cannotbe adjusted for the foamable composition in the percentages of theingredients, then there is still the option of modifying thecharacteristics of the foaming pump, such as changing pressures, screensizes, etc.

The compositions described within the present invention improve overprior similar products commercially available in the high concentrationsof alcohol, as well as in the fact of being able to foam even with nopropellants or pressurized containers (using propellants would improveconsiderably the quality of the foam) and being able to produce alcoholgel-like compositions that do not leave a sticky after-feel that buildsup and do not clog the dispensers after single or multiple applications.

Depending on the alcohol concentration and the application of theparticular composition the foam produced can widely vary, being at thehigh end of a relatively fast breaking variety stable enough to bethoroughly spread onto the skin without waste in a unique way and thegel-like composition viscosity varies with the alcohol concentration.The gel-like composition obtained is a unique approach that does notfollow the traditional ways of making alcohol gels. In summary it couldbe said that the stated invention has exceeded expectations.

Due to the nature of the base composition with respect to the alcoholconcentration and the quality of the ingredients, one of the logicalfirst applications for the present invention would be as an alcohol handdisinfectant composition either for a foamable product or an alcoholgel-like product, examples of which are described above. Nevertheless,the present invention lends itself to the preparation of a wide varietyof products, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the invention.

Consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to coversuch modifications and equivalents. To note a few, the following may bementioned: medicated foams and gels, sunscreen foams and gels, handcream foams, brush-less shaving cream foams, shower or bath oil foams,dry hair shampoo foams, make-up remover foams, analgesic foam rubs andgels, hair grooming foams and antiperspirants hair cleaning foam,antiperspirant foam, hair conditioner foams.

As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and“including” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, andnot exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification includingclaims, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and “including”and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or componentsare included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude thepresence of other features, steps or components.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and notto limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. It isintended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of theembodiments encompassed within the following claims and theirequivalents.

References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2,054,989  9/1936 Moore 167/583,131,153  4/1964 Klausner 252/305 3,962,150  6/1976 Leonard et al.252/542 4,440,653  4/1984 James et al. 252/8.55 5,167,950 12/1992 Lins424/47 4,956,170 09/1990 Lee 514/772.1 5,629,006  5/1997 Minh et al.424/405 5,906,808  5/1999 Osborne, et al 424/43 5,928,993  7/1999Ingegärd 504/116 5,951,993 09/1999 Scholz et al 424/405 6,090,39507/2000 Asmus et al 424/401 6,610,315 08/2003 Scholz et al 424/4156,623,744 09/2003 Asmus et al 424/401 6,562,360 05/2003 Scholz et al424/405

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

-   Myers, Drew; “Surfactant Science and Technology”, second edition,    Drew Myers, VCH Publishers, New York, 1992-   Reduce Tension Dupont Zonyl® Fluorosurfactants Field Manual    published by Dupont Co on May 2001

1. A method of forming a skin disinfecting foam containing alcohol,comprising the steps of: activating a dispenser pump of an unpressurizeddispenser to combine an alcohol-fluorosurfactant mixture with air toform and dispense a skin disinfecting foam containing alcohol, whereinthe alcohol-fluorosurfactant mixture comprises an alcohol C₁₋₄, ormixtures thereof, present in an amount greater than or equal to 60% byweight of the total composition, a physiologically acceptable effectiveanionic phosphate fluorosurfactant for foaming present in an amount ofat least 0.001% by weight percent of the total composition, and waterpresent in an amount to balance the total composition to 100% by weight.2. The method of claim 1 wherein the effective physiologicallyacceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is for wetting.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the anionic phosphatefluorosurfactant is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about10.0% by weight of the total composition.
 4. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the alcohol C₁₋₄ is an aliphatic alcohol selected fromthe group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol,butanol and combinations thereof.
 5. The method according to claim 3wherein the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant has the followingstructure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y), where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)_(z), x=1 or2, y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7 or mixtures thereof.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the alcohol is present in a rangefrom 60% to about 90% by weight.
 7. The method according to claim 1further including at least one additional surfactant for adjustingproperties of the foam produced from the composition.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7 wherein the additional surfactant is selected fromthe group consisting of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol,a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, a derivative of apoly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, a derivative of apoly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, an alkyl alcohol, an alkenylalcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyhydricalcohol, an ester of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydricalcohol, an ether of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydricalcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyalkoxylated derivative of asorbitan fatty acid ester, an alkylglucoside, a betaine, a sulfobetaine,an imidazoline derivative, an aminoacid derivative, a lecithin, aphosphatide, an amine oxide, a sulfoxide and mixtures thereof, presentin an amount between about 0.10% to about 5% by weight.
 9. A method forpersonal disinfecting comprising: applying to a person's skin askin-disinfecting alcohol foam composition which comprises a) air mixedunder low pressure conditions with b) a liquid comprising i) an alcoholC₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amount greater than or equal to60% by weight of the total composition; ii) water present in an amountto balance the total composition to 100% by weight; and iii) aphysiologically acceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant forfoaming present in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 10. A method for producing, and applying to a person'sskin, a skin-disinfecting alcohol foam composition, comprisingactivating a dispenser pump of an unpressurized dispenser to combine analcohol-fluorosurfactant mixture with air to form and dispense askin-disinfecting alcohol foam, the alcohol-fluorosurfactant mixturecomprising an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amountgreater than or equal to 60% by weight of the total composition, aphysiologically acceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant forfoaming, present in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight of the totalcomposition, and water present in an amount to balance the totalcomposition to 100% by weight; and applying the skin-disinfectingalcohol foam to the person's skin.
 11. The method according to claim 1,wherein the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is of the structure:(RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(O⁻)_(y), where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)_(z), x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1,x+y=3, and z=1 to about
 7. 12. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe composition does not include a propellant.
 13. The method accordingto claim 9 wherein the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is forwetting.
 14. The method according to claim 9 wherein the effectiveanionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is present in an amount from about0.001% to about 10.0% by weight of the total composition.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 9 wherein the alcohol C₁₋₄ is an aliphatic alcoholselected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol,n-propanol, butanol and combinations thereof.
 16. The method accordingto claim 9 wherein the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant has thefollowing structure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y), where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)z,x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7 or mixtures thereof. 17.The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol is present in arange from 60% to 90% by weight.
 18. The method according to claim 9wherein the alcohol is ethanol present in an amount of at least 60% byweight.
 19. The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol is amixture of n-propanol and ethanol present in a combined amount of atleast 60% by weight.
 20. The method according to claim 9 wherein thealcohol is a mixture of isopropanol and ethanol present in a combinedamount of at least 60% by weight.
 21. The method according to claim 9wherein the alcohol is isopropanol present in an amount of at least 70%v/v.
 22. The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol isn-propanol present in an amount of at least 60% by weight.
 23. Themethod according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol foam composition furtherincludes at least one additional surfactant for adjusting properties ofthe composition and/or the resulting foam produced from the composition.24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the additional surfactantis selected from the group consisting of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)alcohol, a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, aderivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, aderivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, an alkylalcohol, an alkenyl alcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an etherof a polyhydric alcohol, an ester of a polyalkoxylated derivative of apolyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyalkoxylated derivative of apolyhydric alcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyalkoxylatedderivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester, an alkylglucoside, a betaine,a sulfobetaine, an imidazoline derivative, an aminoacid derivative, alecithin, a phosphatide, an amine oxide, a sulfoxide and mixturesthereof, present in an amount between about 0.10% to about 5% by weight.25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the betaine iscocamidopropyl betaine.
 26. The method according to claim 24 wherein thealkylglucoside is cocoglucoside.
 27. The method according to claim 24wherein the polyethoxylated fatty alcohol is polyethoxylated stearylalcohol (21 moles ethylene oxide).
 28. The method according to claim 24wherein the polyethoxylated fatty alcohol is polyethoxylated stearylalcohol (2 moles ethylene oxide).
 29. The method according to claim 24wherein the polyethoxylated fatty alcohol is a combination ofpolyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (21 moles ethylene oxide) andpolyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (2 moles ethylene oxide).
 30. The methodaccording to claim 9 wherein the alcohol foam composition includes afoam stabilizing agent present in an amount up to 5% by weight.
 31. Themethod according to claim 30 wherein the foam stabilizing agent isselected from the group consisting of lactic acid esters ofmonoglycerides, cationic emulsifiers, triquaternized stearicphospholipid complex, hydroxystearamide propyltriamine salts, lacticacid monoglycerides, food emulsifiers selected from the group consistingof glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol monostearate, sodium stearoyllactylate, cetyl betaine, glycolether, n-propanol, butyleneglycol,silicone wax, an encapsulated oil, Microcapsule Mineral Oil®, andcombinations thereof.
 32. The method according to claim 30 wherein thefoam stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting ofglycolether, n-propanol, butyleneglycol, and combinations thereof. 33.The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol foam compositionincludes any one of a moisturizer, emollient and combinations thereofselected from the group consisting of lanolin, vinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyols selected from the group consisting of glycerol,propylene glycol, butyleneglycol and sorbitol, a fatty alcohol selectedfrom the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, laurylalcohol, myristyl alcohol and palmityl alcohol, ceteareth 20, analkylglucoside and combinations thereof, present in an amount up to 5%by weight.
 34. The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol foamcomposition further comprises an acid or a base to adjust a pH of thecomposition to a pre-selected pH present in an amount from about 0.05 toabout 0.5% by weight of the total composition.
 35. The method accordingto claim 34 wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting ofhydrochloric acid, citric acid and phosphoric acid when an acid is usedto adjust the pH, and wherein the base is sodium sesquicarbonate when abase is used to adjust the pH.
 36. The method according to claim 9wherein the alcohol foam composition includes a preservative in anamount from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of the total composition.37. The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol foam compositionincludes an antimicrobial agent.
 38. The method according to claim 37wherein the antimicrobial agent is chlorhexidine gluconate present in anamount between about 0.50% to about 4.0% by weight.
 39. The methodaccording to claim 37 wherein the antimicrobial agent is didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride present in an amount between about 0.05% toabout 5.0% by weight.
 40. The method according to claim 37 wherein theantimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of achlorhexidine salt, iodine, a complexed form of iodine,parachlorometaxylenol, triclosan, hexachlorophene, a phenol, asurfactant having a long chain hydrophobic group and a quaternary group,hydrogen peroxide, silver, a silver salt, silver oxide, and mixturesthereof.
 41. The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol foamcomposition further comprises constituents selected from the groupconsisting of organic gums and colloids, lower alkanolamides of higherfatty acids, short chain diols and/or triols, fragrance, coloringmatter, ultraviolet absorbers, solvents, suspending agents, buffers,conditioning agents, antioxidants, bactericides and medicinally activeingredients, and combinations thereof.
 42. The method according to claim9, wherein the alcohol C₁₋₄ or mixtures thereof is ethanol present in anamount between 60% to about 70% by weight of the total composition, andthe anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is present in an amount fromabout 0.01% to about 2.0% by weight of the total composition.
 43. Themethod according to claim 42 wherein the alcohol foam compositionfurther comprises at least one secondary surfactant present in an amountfrom about 0.01 to about 10.0% by weight of the total composition,wherein the secondary surfactant is at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, apoly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, a derivative of apoly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, a derivative of apoly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, an alkyl alcohol, an alkenylalcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyhydricalcohol, an ester of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydricalcohol, an ether of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydricalcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyalkoxylated derivative of asorbitan fatty acid ester, a betaine, a sulfobetaine, an imidazolinederivative, an aminoacid derivative, a lecithin, a phosphatide, an amineoxide, a sulfoxide and mixtures thereof, present in an amount betweenabout 0.10% to about 5% by weight.
 44. The method according to claim 42wherein the alcohol foam composition includes an emulsifier or mixtureof emulsifiers present in an amount between about 0.10% to about 1.5% byweight.
 45. The method according to claim 44 wherein the emulsifier is amixture of cetyl ethers and stearyl ethers of polyethylene oxide havingan average of about 20 oxide units.
 46. The method according to claim 42wherein the alcohol foam composition further comprises a foamstabilizing agent, wherein the foam stabilizing agent is cetyl betaine.47. The method according to claim 9 wherein the alcohol is ethanolpresent in an amount between 60% to about 70% by weight of the totalcomposition, and the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is present in anamount from about 0.001% to about 5.0% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 48. The method according to claim 47 wherein the alcoholfoam composition includes a foam stabilizing agent.
 49. The methodaccording to claim 48 wherein said foam stabilizing agent is selectedfrom the group consisting of 1,3-Butyleneglycol, Butoxyethanol andcombinations thereof.
 50. The method according to claim 49 wherein saidfoam stabilizing agent is present in a range from about 0.001 to about3% by weight.
 51. The method according to claim 47 wherein the alcoholfoam composition includes a lipid layer enhancer.
 52. The methodaccording to claim 51 wherein said lipid layer enhancer is selected fromthe group consisting of alkylglucoside, glyceryl oleate and combinationsthereof.
 53. The method according to claim 47 wherein the alcohol foamcomposition includes n-propanol present in an amount of at least about1% v/v.
 54. The method according to claim 47 wherein said anionicphosphate fluorosurfactant for foaming is present in an amount fromabout 0.001% to about 2.0% by weight.
 55. A method for personaldisinfecting comprising: applying to a person's skin a skin-disinfectingalcohol foam composition which comprises a) air mixed under low pressureconditions with b) a liquid comprising i) an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixturesthereof, present in an amount greater than or equal to 60% by weight ofthe total composition; ii) water present in an amount to balance thetotal composition to 100% by weight; and iii) a physiologicallyacceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant for foaming present in anamount of at least 0.001% by weight of the total composition, whereinsaid effective anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is of the structure:(RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(O⁻)_(y), where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)_(z), x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1,x+y=3, and z=1 to about
 7. 56. The method according to claim 9, whereinthe composition does not include a propellant.
 57. The method accordingto claim 10 wherein the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is forwetting.
 58. The method according to claim 10 wherein the anionicphosphate fluorosurfactant is present in an amount from about 0.001% toabout 10.0% by weight of the total composition.
 59. The method accordingto claim 10 wherein the alcohol C₁₋₄ is an aliphatic alcohol selectedfrom the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol,butanol and combinations thereof.
 60. The method according to claim 10wherein the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant has the followingstructure: (RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(ONH₄)_(y), where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)z, x=1 or 2,y=2 or 1, x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7 or mixtures thereof.
 61. The methodaccording to claim 10 wherein the alcohol is present in a range from 60%to 90% by weight.
 62. The method according to claim 10 wherein thealcohol is ethanol present in an amount of at least 60% by weight. 63.The method according to claim 10 wherein the alcohol is a mixture ofn-propanol and ethanol present in a combined amount of at least 60% byweight.
 64. The method according to claim 10 wherein the alcohol is amixture of isopropanol and ethanol present in a combined amount of atleast 60% by weight.
 65. The method according to claim 10 wherein thealcohol is isopropanol present in an amount of at least 70% v/v.
 66. Themethod according to claim 10 wherein the alcohol is n-propanol presentin an amount of at least 60% by weight.
 67. The method according toclaim 10 wherein the alcohol foam composition further includes at leastone additional surfactant for adjusting properties of the compositionand/or the resulting foam produced from the composition.
 68. The methodaccording to claim 67 wherein the additional surfactant is selected fromthe group consisting of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol,a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, a derivative of apoly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, a derivative of apoly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, an alkyl alcohol, an alkenylalcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyhydricalcohol, an ester of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydricalcohol, an ether of a polyalkoxylated derivative of a polyhydricalcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyalkoxylated derivative of asorbitan fatty acid ester, an alkylglucoside, a betaine, a sulfobetaine,an imidazoline derivative, an aminoacid derivative, a lecithin, aphosphatide, an amine oxide, a sulfoxide and mixtures thereof, presentin an amount between about 0.10% to about 5% by weight.
 69. The methodaccording to claim 68 wherein the betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine. 70.The method according to claim 68 wherein the alkylglucoside iscocoglucoside.
 71. The method according to claim 68 wherein thepolyethoxylated fatty alcohol is polyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (21moles ethylene oxide).
 72. The method according to claim 68 wherein thepolyethoxylated fatty alcohol is polyethoxylated stearyl alcohol (2moles ethylene oxide).
 73. The method according to claim 68 wherein thepolyethoxylated fatty alcohol is a combination of polyethoxylatedstearyl alcohol (21 moles ethylene oxide) and polyethoxylated stearylalcohol (2 moles ethylene oxide).
 74. The method according to claim 10wherein the alcohol foam composition includes a foam stabilizing agentpresent in an amount up to 5% by weight.
 75. The method according toclaim 74 wherein the foam stabilizing agent is selected from the groupconsisting of lactic acid esters of monoglycerides, cationicemulsifiers, triquaternized stearic phospholipid complex,hydroxystearamide propyltriamine salts, lactic acid monoglycerides, foodemulsifiers selected from the group consisting of glyceryl monostearate,propylene glycol monostearate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, cetyl betaine,glycolether, n-propanol, butyleneglycol, silicone wax, an encapsulatedoil, Microcapsule Mineral Oil®, and combinations thereof.
 76. The methodaccording to claim 74 wherein the foam stabilizing agent is selectedfrom the group consisting of glycolether, n-propanol, butyleneglycol,and combinations thereof.
 77. The method according to claim 10 whereinthe alcohol foam composition includes any one of a moisturizer,emollient and combinations thereof selected from the group consisting oflanolin, vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyols selected from thegroup consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol, butyleneglycol andsorbitol, a fatty alcohol selected from the group consisting of cetylalcohol, stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol and palmitylalcohol, ceteareth 20, an alkylglucoside and combinations thereof,present in an amount up to 5% by weight.
 78. The method according toclaim 10 wherein the alcohol foam composition further comprises an acidor a base to adjust a pH of the composition to a pre-selected pH presentin an amount from about 0.05 to about 0.5% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 79. The method according to claim 78 wherein the acid isselected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, citric acid andphosphoric acid when an acid is used to adjust the pH, and wherein thebase is sodium sesquicarbonate when a base is used to adjust the pH. 80.The method according to claim 10 wherein the alcohol foam compositionincludes a preservative in an amount from about 0.01 to about 5% byweight of the total composition.
 81. The method according to claim 10wherein the alcohol foam composition includes an antimicrobial agent.82. The method according to claim 81 wherein the antimicrobial agent ischlorhexidine gluconate present in an amount between about 0.50% toabout 4.0% by weight.
 83. The method according to claim 81 wherein theantimicrobial agent is didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride present in anamount between about 0.05% to about 5.0% by weight.
 84. The methodaccording to claim 81 wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected fromthe group consisting of a chlorhexidine salt, iodine, a complexed formof iodine, parachlorometaxylenol, triclosan, hexachlorophene, a phenol,a surfactant having a long chain hydrophobic group and a quaternarygroup, hydrogen peroxide, silver, a silver salt, silver oxide, andmixtures thereof.
 85. The method according to claim 10 wherein thealcohol foam composition further comprises constituents selected fromthe group consisting of organic gums and colloids, lower alkanolamidesof higher fatty acids, short chain diols and/or triols, fragrance,coloring matter, ultraviolet absorbers, solvents, suspending agents,buffers, conditioning agents, antioxidants, bactericides and medicinallyactive ingredients, and combinations thereof.
 86. The method accordingto claim 10, wherein the alcohol C₁₋₄ or mixtures thereof is ethanolpresent in an amount between 60% to about 70% by weight of the totalcomposition, and the anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is present in anamount from about 0.01% to about 2.0% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 87. The method according to claim 86 wherein the alcoholfoam composition further comprises at least one secondary surfactantpresent in an amount from about 0.01 to about 10.0% by weight of thetotal composition, wherein the secondary surfactant is at least oneselected from the group consisting of a poly(ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated)alcohol, a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, aderivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)alcohol, aderivative of a poly(ethoxylated and/or propoxylated)ester, an alkylalcohol, an alkenyl alcohol, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an etherof a polyhydric alcohol, an ester of a polyalkoxylated derivative of apolyhydric alcohol, an ether of a polyalkoxylated derivative of apolyhydric alcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyalkoxylatedderivative of a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a betaine, a sulfobetaine, animidazoline derivative, an aminoacid derivative, a lecithin, aphosphatide, an amine oxide, a sulfoxide and mixtures thereof, presentin an amount between about 0.10% to about 5% by weight.
 88. The methodaccording to claim 86 wherein the alcohol foam composition includes anemulsifier or mixture of emulsifiers present in an amount between about0.10% to about 1.5% by weight.
 89. The method according to claim 88wherein the emulsifier is a mixture of cetyl ethers and stearyl ethersof polyethylene oxide having an average of about 20 oxide units.
 90. Themethod according to claim 86 wherein the alcohol foam compositionfurther comprises a foam stabilizing agent, wherein the foam stabilizingagent is cetyl betaine.
 91. The method according to claim 87 wherein thealcohol is ethanol present in an amount between 60% to about 70% byweight of the total composition, and the anionic phosphatefluorosurfactant is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 5.0%by weight of the total composition.
 92. The method according to claim 91wherein the alcohol foam composition includes a foam stabilizing agent.93. The method according to claim 92 wherein said foam stabilizing agentis selected from the group consisting of 1,3-Butyleneglycol,Butoxyethanol and combinations thereof.
 94. The method according toclaim 93 wherein said foam stabilizing agent is present in a range fromabout 0.001 to about 3% by weight.
 95. The method according to claim 91wherein the alcohol foam composition includes a lipid layer enhancer.96. The method according to claim 95 wherein said lipid layer enhanceris selected from the group consisting of alkylglucoside, glyceryl oleateand combinations thereof.
 97. The method according to claim 91 whereinthe alcohol foam composition includes n-propanol present in an amount ofat least about 1% v/v.
 98. The method according to claim 91 wherein saidphysiologically acceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant forfoaming is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 2.0% byweight.
 99. A method for producing, and applying to a person's skin, askin-disinfecting alcohol foam composition, comprising activating adispenser pump of an unpressurized dispenser to combine analcohol-fluorosurfactant mixture with air to form and dispense askin-disinfecting alcohol foam, the alcohol-fluorosurfactant mixturecomprising an alcohol C₁₋₄, or mixtures thereof, present in an amountgreater than 60% by weight of the total composition, a physiologicallyacceptable anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant, present in an amount ofat least 0.001% by weight of the total composition, and water present inan amount to balance the total composition to 100% by weight, whereinsaid anionic phosphate fluorosurfactant is of the structure:(RfCH₂CH₂O)_(x)P(O)(O⁻)_(y), where Rf═F(CF₂CF₂)_(z), x=1 or 2, y=2 or 1,x+y=3, and z=1 to about 7, and applying the skin-disinfecting alcoholfoam to the person's skin.
 100. The method according to claim 10,wherein the composition does not include a propellant.
 101. The methodaccording to claim 100, wherein the fluorinated surface active agent isan anionic fluorinated surface active agent.
 102. The method accordingto claim 55 wherein the alcohol foam composition includes one or moremoisturizers or emollients.
 103. The method according to claim 55wherein the alcohol foam composition further includes at least oneadditional surfactant.
 104. The method according to claim 55 wherein thealcohol foam composition includes a foam stabilizing agent present in anamount up to 5% by weight.
 105. The method according to claim 99 whereinthe alcohol foam composition further includes one or more moisturizersor emollients.
 106. The method according to claim 99 wherein the alcoholfoam composition further includes at least one additional surfactant.107. The method according to claim 99 wherein the alcohol foamcomposition further includes a foam stabilizing agent present in anamount up to 5% by weight.